Sleeve twister



Get. 10, 1933. J, H DODGE r AL 1,929,678

SLEEVE'TWISTER Filed March 31, 1932 5% 5 F1??- Fig.4. 6 2 w! 3 \nvenfors.

. t 5 5 John H. Dodge 3 a John SDQd Q 1 CcwhiEKmun ATTys for thus twisting the connector sleeve may .be'

Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES SLEEVE TWISTER Application March 31, 1932. Serial No. 602,266

8 Claims.

This invention relates to sleeve twisters such as are used for splicing electric conductors.

One way which is now commonly employed in splicing the electric conductors of transmission lines is to insert the'two conductor ends to be spliced into opposite ends of a connecting sleeve, each conductor generally being extended clear through the sleeve sothat the conductors have overlapping relation within the sleeve, and then to twist the sleeve with the conductors therein.

' This makes a joint which from an electrical standpoint is considered to .be as good as a soldered joint and which from a mechanical standpoint is exceedingly strong. 7

One type of sleeve twister which has been used referred to as the open-ended type. This sleeve twister comprises a body element having a handle portion and a headportion, the latter being formed'with a circular recess in which is rotatively mounted a sleeve-twisting member having an opening to receive the connector sleeve to be twisted, there being a pawl and ratchet connection between the head of the body element and the sleeve twisting member.

In this open-end type of sleeve twister as heretofore made the opening in the sleeve-twisting member is in the form of a radial slot extending to the periphery thereof and the head of the body element is also provided with. an open radial slot so that when the sleeve-twisting member is turned in the head into a position in which the two slots are in alignment, the sleeve to be twisted can be inserted into the opening of the sleeve-twisting member through thealigned slots andby a movement of the sleeve twister transversely to the length of the sleeve.

The present invention relates to an improvement in a sleeve twister of this type according to which the rotary sleeve-twisting member is made in each other, one of which constitutes an outer part and is provided with notches or ratchet teeth and the other of which is an inner part and is formed with a sleeve-receiving opening. The

outer part which carries the ratchet teeth remains permanently in the head. The inner part, which is formed with the sleeve-receiving opening, however, is removable from the wrench and it is divided into two sections which can be separated from each other to enable it to be readily placed around the sleeve to be twisted. I

In using the device the inner part of the sleeve twisting head is removed and is then placed around the sleeve to be twisted, after which it is two' parts which are separable from reassembled with the outer partthus putting the scribed after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims. I I Fig. 1 is a side-view of a sleevetwister embodying our invention with the cover plate removed; g 1 Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22, Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 3 is a view or" the removable portion of the twisting member showingthe manner of applying it to the connector sleeve; Fig. 4 is a side view of such removable portion of the twisting head; M

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating said removable portion of the twisting member partially applied to the connector sleeve; Fig. 6 is a view showing a completed splice; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing'the yielding retaining device for holdingthe j ,As stated above onecommonway of splicingtwo conductor ends of a transmission line is to insert the ends 1 and 2 of the conductor to be spliced into the opposite ends of a connector sleeve 3 so that each conductor endextends clear through the sleeve, the connector sleeve being oblong in cross section and of the proper size to receive the conductor ends, and then to twist the sleeve with the conductor ends therein as shown in Fig. 6. This twisting of the connector sleeve with the conductors therein produces an excellent joint from both an electrical and a mechani-' cal standpoint. The tool herein illustrated for thus twisting the sleeve comprises a body element 4 having a handle portion 5 and a head portion 6, and a sleeve-twisting member 7frotatively mounted in a chamber 8 with which the head 6 of the body element .4 is provided. This sleeve-twisting member '7 is provided'with an opening 9 to receive the connector sleeve 3 and said sleevetwisting member has a pawl and ratchet connection with the body element, 4 as usual in open-ended ratchet sleeve ,twisters. 'As herein shown the periphery of thefsleeve twisting member; is provided with ratchet teeth formed by making a plurality of notchestherein, said ratchetteeth co-operating with either one "by the usual removable cover plate 50.

of two spring-pressed pawls 11 and 12 which are mounted in the head 6 of the body element 4.

Some usual or well-known means may be employed for rendering either pawl operative depending on whether it is desired to ratchet the twisting member in one direction or the other. As herein shown the pawls are controlled by a pawl-shipping rod 13 which extends longitudinally of the handle portion 5 and is rotatively mounted therein, said rod having at its inner end a projection 14 which can be brought into engagement with either pawl thereby to throw said pawl out of engagement as shown with reference to the pawl 12 in Fig. l. g

Each pawl is acted on by a spring 15 which normally throws the pawl into operative engagement when it is released by the projection 14. The outer end of the shipper rod 13 is provided with a knurled head 16 at the end of the handle by which the rod may be turned.

The head 6 of the body element 4 is provided with an open slot 17 leading to the chamber 8 as usual in open-ended sleeve twisters.

Thepresent invention relates particularly to the construction of-the sleeve-twisting member '7. 'This member comprises the outer part 18 which remains permanently in the head 6 of the 19 which is removably mounted in the outer part 18 and which the sleeve-receiving opening 9 is formed} The outer-part 18 is held in position The removable part 19 is divided along a line intersecting the sleeve-twisting opening 9 thereby to form the two sections 20 and 21 which are separable from each other but which when closed together, as shown in full lines in Fig.3, form between them a closed sleeve-receiving opening 9. In the preferred-form of the invention the two sections 20 and 21- are hinged together by a pintle pin 22. The section 20 is shown as provided with an ear 23 which occupies a slot 24 formed in'the section 21and the pintle pin 22 extends through the portions '25 of the section 21 on either side of the slot 24 and through the ear 28. a

The removable part 19 is separable from the part 18 in an axial direction, that is, said part 19 can be moved out of or separated from the part 18 in the direction of the axis of rotation of the sleeve-twisting member as indicated in dotted lines'Fig. 2. I 1

The outer part 18 of the sleeve-twisting head is formed with a-radial slot 29 and each section of the removable part 19 is provided with an extension 28. V

The two extensions 28 are of such size as to fill the slot 29 when the part 19 is inserted into the part 18 and the outer ends of the extensions 28 are formedwith pawl-engaging notches 30 similar to the notches 10. Thus when the inner part 19 is in assembled relation with the outer part 18 the sleeve-twisting member '7 will have a continuous unbroken series of pawl-receiving notches around its periphery. Each section 20 and 21 is provided with a rib 26 adapted to enter a groove 27 formed in the member 18. The ribs 26 and grooves 27 together with the extensions 28 occupying the slot 29 serve to lock'the two parts 18 and 19 together for rotative movement. t is intended that the tortional strain shall be transmitted from the outer member 18 to the inner member 19 largely through the ribs 26 and grooves 27. 1

In'using the tool the sleeve-twisting member will first be turned in the chamber 8 so as to bring the slot 29 of the outer part 18 and the extensions 28 of the inner part 19 into alignment with the slot 17 in the head 6 and the inner part 19 is then removed from the head and placed around the sleeve 3, this being accomplished by separating the two sections 20 and 21 of the part 19 as shown in dotted lines Fig. 3 and introducing the sleeve between said sections into the opening 9. After the removable part 19 has thus been placed about the sleeve 3 and the two sections closed together then said part is reinserted into the part 18 of the sleeve-twisting member. To do this the tool body 1 is placed in position sothat the part 18 of the sleeve-twisting member will be in axial alignment with the part 19 as shown in Fig. 5 during which operation the sleeve 3 is entered edgewise through the aligned slots 17 of the head 6, and 29 of the part 18.

After the removable part 19 has been reassembled with the part 18 then the'tool is ready for oper ation in twisting the connector sleeve 3.

' This twisting operation may be performed by holding one end of the sleeve in a suitable clamp and applying the twisting tool to the other end or by using two twisting tools, one on each end of the sleeve. In any event, an oscillating'or pumping 'motion of the handle 5 ratchets the sleevetwisting member 7 around in the chamber 8 thereby performing the sleeve-twisting operation.

When the sleeve has been suificiently twisted the tool can be removed from the twistedhead by simply bringing the sleeve-twisting member into an angular position in which the slot 29 and the extensions 28 are in alignment with the slot 17 in the head 6, after which the removable part 19 of'the sleeve-twisting member 7 can be slipped out of the part 18 and as soon as this is done the tool body can be removed from the twistedsleeve and the two sections l9'and 20 of the part 18 can be opened away from each other and then also removed from the sleeve.

its

20 and'21 and tending'to hold them yieldingly in their closed relation. Such spring device is in the form of a'leaf spring 31 which is particylindrical in shape and which encircles the cylindrical portion of the sections 20'and 21, said spring having openings 32 therein through which the ribs 26 project. The ends 33 of the spring extend to the outer walls of the extensions 28. This spring thus tends constantly to hold the sections 20 and 21 in their closed relation and the opening of the sections 'away from each other as shown by dotted lines Fig. 3 against the action of the spring.

The pivotal connection between the sections 20 and 21 is preferably constructed'so that it will is accomplished limit the opening movement of said members When the device is being used the operator can hand only and this-is a convenience when splichaving peripheral ratchet teeth and a radial slot,

ing cables or conductors which are alreadymounted on poles. 1 v The part 18 is shown as having a stop flange 34 on one face which flange serves to assist in correctly positioning the removable part 19 in the head, it being understood that this part 19 will be inserted into the head from the right hand side in Fig. 2. g T

We have also provided a yielding retainer for yieldingly holding the removable part 19 in place. As herein shown the section 20 is provided with a recess in which is received a ball 36 backed by a suitable spring 3'7. The mater of the section 20 is upset at the outer end of the recess to form a retaining lip which will retain the ball 36 in place.

The inner wall of the part 18 is provided with a socket 38 into which the ball snaps when the part 19 is in position and the engagement of the ball with the recess will yieldingly hold the movable part 19 in place. We will preferably provide two such recesses 38 so that either end of the removable part 19 can be inserted first.

With this construction there is provided a sleeve twister in which the rotary sleeve-twisting member has an unbroken continuous series of notches or teeth to co-operate with the pawls and in which the sleeve-twisting element is provided with a closed sleeve-receiving opening. Furthermore, by making the sleeve-twisting element with the inner part having the sleeve-receivingaperture and the outer part having the peripheral notches 10 the removal of the inner part to apply it to or remove it from the sleeve does not distrub the pawls nor involve any disengagement of the pawls from the ratchet memher.

We claim:

1. In a sleeve twister, the combination with a body element having a handle and a, head, the latter being provided with a cylindrical chamber and an open slot leading to said chamber, of a sleeve-twisting member rotatably mounted in said chamber, said member comprising an outer part having peripheral ratchet teeth and an inner part nested within the outerpart and bodily removable therefrom in the direction of the axis of said chamber, said inner part being formed with a sleeve-receiving opening, and a pawl carried by the head and co-operating with said ratchet teeth.

2. In a sleeve twister, the combination with a body element having a handle and a head, the latter being provided with a cylindrical chamber and an open slot leading to said chamber, of a sleevetwisting member rotatably mounted in said chamber, said member comprising an outer part having peripheral ratchet teeth and an inner part formed with a sleeve-receiving opening, said inner part being separable from the outer part and bodily removable therefrom in the direction of the axis of said chamber and a pawl carried by the head and cooperating with said ratchet teeth, said inner part being formed of two sections separable from each other and adapted, when said inner part is removed from the outer part, to be placed around the sleeveto be twisted and then replaced in operative position inthe outer part.

3. In a sleeve twister, the combination with a body element having a handle and a head, the

' latter being provided with a cylindrical chamber and an open slot leading to said chamber, of a sleeve-twisting member rotatably mounted in said I 1 chamber, said member comprising an outer part and which is provided with ratchet teeth to form with those on the outer part a continuous unbroken series of peripheral ratchet teeth, and a pawlcarried by thehead co-op'erating with said ratchet teeth.- i

4. In a sleeve twister, the combination with a body element having a handle and a head, the latter being provided with a cylindrical chamber and an open slot leading thereto, of a sleevetwisting member rotatably mounted in said chamber, said member comprising an outer part having peripheral ratchet teeth and a radial slot, and an inner part separate from the outer part and removable therefrom in the direction of the axis of said chamber when the slot in said outer part is in alignment with the slot in the head and while said outer part is still retained in the head, said inner part being formed or" two sections separable from each other and adapted, when removed from the outer part, to be placed around a sleeve to be twisted, and then replaced within said outer part, and spring-pressed pawls carried by the head co-operating. with said ratchet formed of two sections pivotally connected together and adapted to be separated sufiiciently to be placed around the sleeve to be twisted and then to bereplaced within the outer part, a spring acting on said sections and tending to hold them in closed relation and a pawl carried by the head for engagement with said ratchet teeth.

6. In a sleeve twister, the combination with a body element having a handle and, a head, the latter being provided with a cylindrical chamber and an open slot leading thereto,.of a sleevetwisting member rotatably mounted in said chamber, said member comprising an outer part having peripheral ratchet teeth and an inner part removable from the outer part and provided with a sleeve-receiving opening, said inner part being formed of two sections pivotally connected together and adapted to be separated sufliciently to be placed around the sleeve to be twisted and then to be replaced within the outer part, a leaf spring embracing said sections and tending to hold them in closed relation'and a pawl carried by the head for engagement with said ratchet teeth.

7. In a sleeve twister, the combination with a body element having a handle and a head, the latter being provided with a cylindrical chamber and an open slot leading thereto, of a sleevetwisting member rotatably mounted in said chamber, said member comprising an outer part having peripheral ratchet teeth and an inner part removable from the outer part and provided with a sleeve-receiving opening, said inner part twistencthe combinationwith a being formed of two sections pivotally connected together and adapted to be separated suificiently to be placed around the sleeve to be twisted and then to be replaced within the outer part, a leaf spring embracing said sections and tending to hold them in closed relation and a pawl carried by the head for engagement with said ratchet teeth, said pivotal connection between the two sections of the inner removable part being constructed to limit the opening movement of said sections.

8. In a sleeve twister, the combination with a body element having a handle and a head, the latter being provided with a cylindrical chamber 

